Retaining device for switch-points.



I I A. R. MURRAY. RETAINING DEVICE FOR SWITCH POINTS.

APPLICATION FILED EBB.19, 1908.

Patented Oct 20, 1908.

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A. R. MURRAY. RETAINING Dnvrcn r03 swn'cn POINTS.

' APPLICATION mum 233.19, 1008.

'Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

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WITNESSES:

Arron (5r v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARCHIE ROLFE MURRAY, OF .TOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO THE LORAIN STEEL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RETAINING DEVICE FOR SWITCH-POINTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

Application filed February 19, 1908. Serial No. 416,794.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARCHIE RoLrn MUR- RAY, of J ohnstown, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Retaining Devices for Switch- Points, of whlch the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in retaining devices for switch points, and is designed to provide simple and eflicient means whereby a switch point is held in its thrown position, even though the movement of the switch point is very limited.

Another object of my invention is to increase the leverage at the point of the application of power without materially increasing the area of the mechanism.

WVith these objects in view, my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts, all substantially as hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1, is a plan view of a portion of a switch structure having my improved switch point holding device attached, the mechanism being in full lines in one extreme position, and in dotted lines in the central position; Fig. 2, is a sectional view on the line II-II of Fig. 1, with the mechanism in their central position; Fig. 3, is a sectional view on the line III-III of Fig. 2.

A is the switch structure having the usual switch point bed a, a chamber a below the switch point bed, and an orifice a in the switch point bed leading into the chamber a. B is the switch point and is provided with a lug b which passes through the orifice a into the chamber a.

Bolted to the switch structure by means of the bolts 0, is the spring box O, having the lug 0 which projects from the side, and the boss projecting from the bottom thereof. Pivoted to the lug c by means of the pin (Z, is the bifurcated end of a lever D, and passing through the yoke end of this lever D, is the pin cl.

E is a stud which is rigidly mounted in the boss 0 and loosely mounted on the upper end of this stud is the rod F, which is provided with the screw threaded portion f, and a projecting portion f of smaller diameter which projects into an orifice g in the turned portion of a block (it, and is mounted on the pin d in the yoked end of the lever D. Surrounding this turned portion, and bearing against a seat on the block (it, is a coil compression spring H. The other end of this spring H surrounds the turned portion and bears against the flange of a nut J mounted on the threaded portion 1" of the rod F.

Iivotally mounted in the bifurcated end of the lever D by means of the pin 70, is the rod K, the end of which is threaded to receive the threaded sleeve K; and 7a is a threaded bolt which passes through the lug b 011 the switch point B, and enters the threaded sleeve K, and surrounding the bolt is, and. interposed between the lug b, and the sleeve K is the loose sleeve 70 When the mechanism is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the switch point is held in position to allow the car to take the straight track. If it is desired to transfer the car to the curve, the switch point will be thrown to the upper side of the switch structure which will shift the retaining mechanism toward the position shown in dotted lines, and to point beyond, equal to the distance between the full and dotted line positions.

I am aware that spring mechanism to retain a switch point in its thrown position, has been in use prior to my invention, but in all of the devices of this type, the spring connectionwas made beyond the free end of the lever. Therefore, the length of the box would have to be of sufiicient length to take in the lever, plus the length of the spring mechanism.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a switch point retaining device, a switch point, a pivoted lever, a connecting member between the switch point, and the pivoted lever, a spring bearing against the free end of the pivoted lever and a fixed point between the ends of the pivoted lever.

2. In a switch point retaining mechanism, a switch point, a connecting member between the switch point, and the pivoted lever, a

yielding member confined between the ends to hold the free end of the leverin its exof the lever, and adapted to hold the free treme positions. 0 end of the lever in its extreme positions. In testimony whereof, I have afiixed my 3. In a switch point retaining mechanism signature in presence of two witnesses. :3 aswitch point, an adjustable connecting ARCHIE ROLFE MURRAY.

member between the switch point and the Witnesses: v pivoted lever, a yielding member confined l L. OCONNELL,

between the ends of the lever and adapted i H. W. SMITH. 

